Newsletters

Newsletter 18 – Friday, 7th February 2025

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Headteacher Message

Hello all,

I hope you are well. This week I gave a presentation to a group of Headteachers who are new to the job. I was invited to talk because Darell School has been recognised at borough level as a beacon of inclusive practice.  I always think it is an honour to be asked to events like this and I thought long and hard about the message I wanted to get across, what I wanted these new heads to take home with them.  My first and last slide are shown below.

The point I was conveying to these headteachers was that it is they who need to lead, take responsibility and drive inclusivity in their schools. It does not happen by itself. I think this is a good attitude and can be applied to many aspects of our lives. I am sure I am not alone in sometimes moaning about situations that I actually could make a difference to. The moaning achieves nothing. Taking responsibility and being proactive can effect change.  I know this is not always possible, but try thinking about this slide when you next face a challenge. It could become a useful part of your life toolkit.  

I have spoken previously about the family support project that Darell School is going to lead. Well, today, the advert for the Family support Lead has gone live.  Please click on the link.  While it may not be the job for you, you may know somebody who would be an ideal candidate. 

https://www.darell.richmond.sch.uk/page/?title=Vacancies&pid=309

Have a lovely weekend with your families.

Joe Porter

Office Updates

Meal Options - Via Arbor

You can now select your meal options for after the February half-term through the Arbor parent portal.

To do this, please log in to your Arbor account. Click on the orange "Quick Actions" tab in the top left corner, then select "Meals" and "Spring." By clicking on the dropdown arrow, you will see a list of meal options, including the choice for a packed lunch. Please make your selections for the requested days.

We kindly ask that you complete the meal choices even if your child is having a packed lunch.

 

Tissue Donations

It is that time of year where tissues are in high demand! If you are able to donate a box this would br greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

52,100+ Special Announcement Stock Illustrations, Royalty-Free Vector Graphics & Clip Art - iStock | Special announcement icon, Special announcement background

Upcoming  events   

 

     

Free Communication Clipart Pictures - Clipartix  Communications Sent Home

Diary Dates

Year 3 & 4 Swimming
9:00am – 11:00am
From 17 Jan and on Friday each week until 05 Apr except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb
07
February
SEND Coffee Morning
9:00am – 10:00am
07
February
Royal Institue Maths Enrichment Trip
9:00am – 4:00pm
10
February
Darell Playgroup
9:00am – 11:00am
From 13 Jan and on Monday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun
10
February
Tag Rugby Cluster Matches
1:00pm – 3:20pm
11
February
Darell Playgroup
1:15pm – 3:15pm
From 15 Jan and on Wednesday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun
12
February
Primary Swimming Gala
12:30pm – 3:30pm
13
February
Year 3 & 4 Swimming
9:00am – 11:00am
From 17 Jan and on Friday each week until 05 Apr except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb
14
February
Darell Family Bingo
3:30pm – 4:30pm
14
February
February Half Term
All Day
From 17 Feb until 21 Feb
17
February
Darell Playgroup
9:00am – 11:00am
From 13 Jan and on Monday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun
24
February
Choir - Regional Workshop @ Sheen Mount
1:00pm – 3:20pm
26
February
Darell Playgroup
1:15pm – 3:15pm
From 15 Jan and on Wednesday each week except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb, between 07 Apr and 21 Apr, and for between 26 May and 01 Jun
26
February
King's v Darell Netball Match
1:30pm – 3:20pm
27
February
Year 3 & 4 Swimming
9:00am – 11:00am
From 17 Jan and on Friday each week until 05 Apr except for between 17 Feb and 21 Feb
28
February

The Reading Corner

Welcome to our weekly section of the newsletter all about reading. Every week, we will share a question (or two) with you about the book your child is reading in school. Please use these questions to help you find out a little more about what your child has been reading in school and continue to develop their love of reading.

Reception - From our story, Here Comes Jack Frost, how many things can you remember that the boy and Jack do together? (chasing, snowball fight, building snowmen, sledging, snowboarding) Why can't the boy mention anything warm to Jack? What would you do if you saw Jack Frost outside?  

Year 1 - If you could have any pet you liked, what animal would you choose and why? How would you persuade your mum or dad to let you have your chosen pet? 

Year 2 - What expanded noun phrase might you use to describe a fox? Remember you need to add adjectives to describe the noun (fox). For example: orange, furry fox.

Year 3 - Why do you think the sloth stayed in the forest even though it was being destroyed? 

Year 4 - What is your favourite book and why?

Year 5 - What do you think Zuby wants back?

Year 6 - ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ by CS Lewis – Why is Edmund so desperate to do what the White Witch has asked him to do? Would you do something you thought might be wrong if someone offered you a special treat?

Early Years Star of the Week

Reception

Coco - for getting better and better at focusing on the carpet. Good listening, Coco!

Year 1

Amy - for showing our school value of aspiration and making fantastic progress in handwriting!  Your Pet Potato story is beautifully presented and illustrated – well done! 

Year 2

Zayn - You have been working hard on your phonics and on your number fluency with your adults at home! Keep up the great work team

KS1 SRP

Scarlett - for showing our school enjoyment by joining in with bucket time sessions. You are following instructions, showing good listening skills as well as having fun. Well done, Scarlett!

Nurture Star

Leon - for his excellent contributions during our maths lessons this week and resilience in his written work. Well done Leon!

Sporting Star

Freya - for showing such determination, resilience, and sportsmanship while representing Darell at our netball match. Well done, Freya!

KS2 Star of the Week

KS2 SRP 

Sonia, Tipene, Jacob & Jessica - for their enjoyment and excellent participation in the swimming gala on Wednesday. Well done, everyone!

Year 3

Mason - for being an aspirational writer! You have shown fantastic focus in English this week, and have worked determinedly to improve your handwriting. Well done, Mason!

Year 4

Sam - for being such a brilliant learning partner to so many students in class. Thank you for being a great teacher!

Year 5

Maja - for her exemplary attitude to all her learning and her maths work this week in particular, being an aspirational learner

Year 6

Finlay - Finlay has made great progress in grammar, punctuation and spelling since October. His excellent attitude to learning is showing results. Well done, Finlay!

 

Attendance

Overall, school attendance this week was 94%. Our target is 97%.

Well done to Reception for the highest attendance of 98% this week. 

Let's do our best for next week!

What's going on in the community?

This February half-term, we are running our usual Rugby camps, and we would really appreciate it if you could send the link to our camp to the parents of your kids at school.

The dates are as follows:

Monday 17th February – Wednesday 19th February for U5’s to U10’s

Wednesday 19th February – Friday 21st February for U11’s – U16’s

Please see below the link.

https://richmondcommunity.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/richmond_rugby_holiday_rugby_camps

Useful Links

     darell.school

 

darell.richmond.sch.uk

 

Arbor Parent Portal - darell-primary.uk.arbor

 

 

School Uniform Shop - The Shoe Station